Ryan
Journey Man
1. It absolutely pains me (even though it’s for Aust.) that Johnathon Thurston is doing so well in the green and gold jumper. I really thought 2006 and beyond was the time Matt Orford would attain an Aust. test spot, and retain it.
2. Orford is now on $500k+ according to the media releases. For that reason, and as Paul Kent suggested in his news article, he needs to make another step up, and play like a player who is tying up more than 10% of our teams salary cap.
3. I worry about the loss of Kennedy’s leadership. Watching the games in which he didn’t play, there were a lot of “down†periods in games, whereas when he is there screaming at his players, those down times seemed much less frequent. I worry about complacency with players (and yes, he is my favorite player), but Anthony Watmough for example.
4. I think we need controlled aggression in our team. Without BK, and a lot of players like Beaver, Kite, Williamson, Bell & co. who are all “nice guysâ€ÂÂ, we may be the team that allows itself to be held down in the play the balls longer, and don’t fight in the tackles to play the ball faster ourselves. That’s why we shouldn’t take players like Matai, Burns and Dunley for granted. They have that fire in their bellies Manly surely needs. If one of our players are getting hit, I want the rest of the “teamâ€ÂÂ, to run in, in support of that player (without be ridiculous, and being sent for ten or something).
5. Prop rotation is a real worry. What will happen around Origin time, and Kite is being dragged from the team? What then too if say Rose and/or Bryant are injured? Do we then call on Curtis and co. like 2004? Losing Leuluai, and not replacing him is a little worrying. Hall in my opinion, is as good as Moorwood, but I’ve only seen him in one game, so he MIGHT actually be better than his last game for Newtown, and my interpretation may be completely wrong.
6. Lock. The Manly Daily, or should I say Zorba wrote that Des has asked Wells to put on 5 kg’s so he can play 1st grade in 07. He has also asked Rose to lose 5 kg’s to play more game time. Does this mean Wells is being groomed for BK’s spot? If this is the case, I’m actually happy with it. He seems like a solid player with good ball skills. I mean – he played 5/8 @ The Bulldogs on occasions for goodness sakes.
7. As for Rose, Anthony Topou was 120 kg’s, and was going nowhere until Stuart got hold of him. He is now under 100 kg’s and in the Australian team. I can’t see that with discipline, Rose can trim down, and play a fair bit of 1st grade next year. I’d just hate to see him back next year, with a big off season like last year under his belt.
8. Last thing. Someone mentioned Des is giving Cuthbo 1st shot at Lock. I’d be over the moon if this was the case. Whoever said this, also mentioned that he has been told to trim DOWN !!! Now THAT’S something I’m sure we all want to see. Imagine a wide running Cuthbertson, with his ability to offload, with Bell one side of the ruck, Lyon the other !!! In fact, I hope ALL our forwards focus on mobility in the off season.
Sorry guys – just thinking this while I’m watching the footy. Thought some of it may make healthy discussion.
2. Orford is now on $500k+ according to the media releases. For that reason, and as Paul Kent suggested in his news article, he needs to make another step up, and play like a player who is tying up more than 10% of our teams salary cap.
3. I worry about the loss of Kennedy’s leadership. Watching the games in which he didn’t play, there were a lot of “down†periods in games, whereas when he is there screaming at his players, those down times seemed much less frequent. I worry about complacency with players (and yes, he is my favorite player), but Anthony Watmough for example.
4. I think we need controlled aggression in our team. Without BK, and a lot of players like Beaver, Kite, Williamson, Bell & co. who are all “nice guysâ€ÂÂ, we may be the team that allows itself to be held down in the play the balls longer, and don’t fight in the tackles to play the ball faster ourselves. That’s why we shouldn’t take players like Matai, Burns and Dunley for granted. They have that fire in their bellies Manly surely needs. If one of our players are getting hit, I want the rest of the “teamâ€ÂÂ, to run in, in support of that player (without be ridiculous, and being sent for ten or something).
5. Prop rotation is a real worry. What will happen around Origin time, and Kite is being dragged from the team? What then too if say Rose and/or Bryant are injured? Do we then call on Curtis and co. like 2004? Losing Leuluai, and not replacing him is a little worrying. Hall in my opinion, is as good as Moorwood, but I’ve only seen him in one game, so he MIGHT actually be better than his last game for Newtown, and my interpretation may be completely wrong.
6. Lock. The Manly Daily, or should I say Zorba wrote that Des has asked Wells to put on 5 kg’s so he can play 1st grade in 07. He has also asked Rose to lose 5 kg’s to play more game time. Does this mean Wells is being groomed for BK’s spot? If this is the case, I’m actually happy with it. He seems like a solid player with good ball skills. I mean – he played 5/8 @ The Bulldogs on occasions for goodness sakes.
7. As for Rose, Anthony Topou was 120 kg’s, and was going nowhere until Stuart got hold of him. He is now under 100 kg’s and in the Australian team. I can’t see that with discipline, Rose can trim down, and play a fair bit of 1st grade next year. I’d just hate to see him back next year, with a big off season like last year under his belt.
8. Last thing. Someone mentioned Des is giving Cuthbo 1st shot at Lock. I’d be over the moon if this was the case. Whoever said this, also mentioned that he has been told to trim DOWN !!! Now THAT’S something I’m sure we all want to see. Imagine a wide running Cuthbertson, with his ability to offload, with Bell one side of the ruck, Lyon the other !!! In fact, I hope ALL our forwards focus on mobility in the off season.
Sorry guys – just thinking this while I’m watching the footy. Thought some of it may make healthy discussion.
